Everything You Need to Know From the “Made By Google” Event

While unveiling their plan for consumer hardware, Google CEO Sundar Pichai was excited about the gradual shift of a mobile world to an AI world. At the heart of this launch was the idea of having a Google assistant. It’s like having a personal Google for each and every user. We are already aware of this algorithm through the voice recognition, translation, image recognition, natural language processing and knowledge graph features that came earlier from Google. But now with their new range of hardware, Google wants to go a step ahead and make the experience even better for their users. Yesterday’s “Made by Google” event was all about bringing this new series of hardware in the hands of the users. Let’s have a look at all the new releases from this event!

For those of you who are already versed with the Nexus phone, Pixel is here to make that experience even better. The surface of the phone has been carefully sculpted with rounded edges providing an easy grip. The team has used 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on the front display and back glass to accent the aerospace grade aluminum body. The glass on the back also features Pixel Imprint, their fingerprint sensor, which is placed on the back of the phone where your finger expects it. You can even swipe it to access your notifications. And no matter what you’re using your phone for, you’ll need a battery that lasts all day and charges fast — up to seven hours in 15 minutes.

Pixel is also the first phone with the Google Assistant built in. With your Assistant, you can have a natural conversation with Google to find answers or get things done on the go. Say “Ok Google” or touch and hold the Home button and your Assistant is ready to help. Other than this, the Pixel camera is not only the best smartphone camera they’ve ever made, it’s the highest rated smartphone camera anyone has ever made. The DxOMark Mobile score of 89 is a great example of what’s possible when great hardware meets great software. Pixel puts cutting-edge computational photography in an ultra-fast and easy-to-use camera. Available in two sizes and three colors, Pixel is available for pre-order starting at $649 in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, and Australia. Pre-orders in India will begin October 13.

Google loves the fact that virtual reality can make you feel as if you’re somewhere else. At I/O this May 2016, they announced Daydream, a platform for high-quality mobile VR. Their goal for Daydream is to simplify the complexity behind virtual reality. It should be mobile so you can easily carry it with you, and it should be friendly and accessible so everyone can enjoy using it. Daydream View is a VR headset and controller by Google that lets you explore new worlds, kick back in your personal VR cinema, and play games that put you at the center of the action.

Slide in your Daydream-ready phone (Pixel as of now) to experience high-quality mobile VR from virtually anywhere. Fly through space or wield a magic wand—Daydream View’s intuitive and expressive controller transforms with your imagination. Inspired by the clothes you wear, the headset is made from a lightweight, breathable fabric, so you stay comfortable. VR just got a whole lot simpler and easier for anyone and everyone. Daydream View will arrive this November at the Google Store and their retailer partners across five countries with the Verizon best-buy price starting at $79.

Chromecast Ultra includes everything you love about Chromecast. Plus, it comes with advanced features like 4K and High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, faster speed, and Wi-Fi improvements. It supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, so you’ll get a crisper picture with higher resolution and more vibrant colors. At first, you’ll be able to stream 4K content from Netflix, YouTube, and Vudu, and we’re working to bring more 4K and HDR content on board. Later this year, Google Play Movies & TV will be rolling out 4K content. Even if your TV isn’t 4K-ready, Chromecast Ultra automatically optimizes your TV’s picture. Chromecast Ultra loads videos 1.8 times faster than other Chromecast devices and includes major Wi-Fi improvements to support streams from full HD to Ultra HD without a hitch. For those tricky Wi-Fi environments, they are also adding Ethernet support for a wired connection. Just like the original Chromecast, you can cast all of your favorite content from thousands of apps using your phone, tablet or laptop.

Mirror any content from your Android device or a browser tab on your laptop (using Chrome) to the TV. And it comes in a small size that hides nicely behind your TV, without adding clutter to your living room. You can also combine Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra c with Google Home for controlling your TV in a completely hands-free way. Simply say “Ok, Google, play the Jungle Book trailer on my TV” to watch the YouTube video on the big screen. Chromecast Ultra will be available in November for $69 from Best Buy, the Google Store, Target, and Walmart in the U.S., as well as from international retailers in 15 more countries.

Google Home is a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. It’s your own Google, always ready to help. Just start with, “Ok Google.” A simple voice request triggers Google Home to play music, podcasts or radio from services like Google Play Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, and TuneIn. Thanks to Google’s rich history in search, Google Home is ready for your questions. Get real-time answers including the latest on weather, traffic, finance, sports, local businesses and more.

With your permission, Google Home will learn about you and get personal. Google Home can retrieve your flight information, set alarms and timers, and even tell you about the traffic on your way to work. Google Home connects seamlessly with smart devices like Chromecast, Nest, and Philips Hue, so you can use your voice to set the perfect temperature or turn down the lights. With bases available in seven colors, you can make Google Home fit with any space and decor. A design that speaks for itself. You can get yours for $129, and it’s available for pre-order. It’ll ship November 4.

Wi-Fi is the key to staying connected at home. Just to make sure you have a stable one that doesn’t frustrate you by going off from time to time, Google thought of coming up with their new connected system. Enjoy a fast signal in every room, on every device. Google Wifi is a new type of connected system that replaces your router for seamless coverage throughout your home. Do everything you love online, anywhere in your house. Google Wifi was designed to handle multiple devices streaming, downloading, and sharing at the same time.

Google Wifi has you covered, no matter what the shape or size of your home. Network Assist is intelligent software built into Google Wifi to provide you with the fastest possible speed. Behind the scenes, Network Assist automatically helps you avoid Wi-Fi congestion, and transitions you to the closest Wi-Fi point for the best signal. Network Assist will offer suggestions on how to optimize performance, like where to move a Google Wifi point for faster speeds or providing data so you can adjust your ISP plan. To pair with it is the Google Wi-Fi mobile app that gives you total control over your network. Easily share your Wi-Fi password, see what devices are online, and prioritize them for better performance.

This was all that Made by Google had in store for now. What do you expect to see in the coming days?

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Meet Madhurima Nag

Madhurima Nag is the Head of Operations at Gadget Flow. She side-hustles as a digital marketing lecturer/speaker and loves to voice her opinion on marketing, crowdfunding and gadgets (of course!) in general.

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